Baileys' Chocolate Bar is back in business.
After a temporary closure, the popular dessert bar is now open inside the same Lafayette Square space (1915 Park) in the upstairs lounge. Most restaurant retrofits take months; this one took just over three weeks.
Owner Dave Bailey says it wouldn't have happened that quickly if not for his large, dedicated, specialized staff of cooks, pastry chefs, painters (including his wife, Kara), and Justin Austermann, who wrote the new cocktail menu.
In late June, Bailey (also behind Rooster, Bridge, Baileys' Range, Small Batch, Shift, The Fifth Wheel catering, and soon-to-open Hugo's Pizzeria) announced he would close the Chocolate Bar on July 8.
The closure made way for the Bailey's to transform the bar's ground floor into their new concept, L’Acadiane. The name is a French term for Acadiana, the area of Southern Louisiana that became home to many French settlers after their expulsion from Acadie (Nova Scotia) in 1755. So expect Cajun and Creole fare, including smoked pork ribs, po'boys, fried chicken on a cornbread waffle, and more. L’Acadiane aims to open this month.
During that transformation, the 13-year-old Chocolate Bar was moved to the upstairs lounge, previously used for the bar's weekend seating, with an updated and pared-down dessert and drink menu. The all-red walls are now shades of light and dark gray, and white marble French cafe-style tables will eventually dot the space, which can seat 70. Because of its smaller size and table layout, Baileys' hopes to appeal to date-goers and smaller parties.
He adds that patrons can enjoy dinner at L’Acadiane and then make their way upstairs for dessert. Bailey says he has a soft spot for an upstairs-downstairs date night—he and his wife did exactly that on their first date.
Owner Dave Bailey in front of the just-opened Baileys' Chocolate Bar and soon-to-open L'Acadiane.
The Lavender cocktail
With the refreshed menu, patrons will find a variety of cheese boards—think go-tos like brie and smoked cheddar and more rare varieties like Iberico, a Manchego-style cheese from Spain—and a handful of desserts. Expect the Chocolate Inebriation to make a reappearance, plus a salted chocolate mousse, a Brownie Bombe with salted caramel ice cream, and a flourless chocolate nut tart. The menu also includes a variety of fruit desserts and home made ice cream flavors like red velvet, dark chocolate, and green tea.
On the drink side, the Chocolate Bar will offer an entirely new cocktail menu. The Lavender is garnished with a marigold from the Baileys' garden and combines cacao gin, maraschino, and orange blossom water. There's also an expansive list of sparkling wines and a pared-down liquor menu.
The new Baileys' Chocolate Bar will be open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to late in the evening. Either walk in or use the Nowait app to shortcut wait time.
Still wondering about those chocolate martinis? They're no longer on the menu, but a simple request will do the trick.
Prime perch: soft seating in the front room.
